By Keith Hickey

0

2013-02-20 17:40:00

The controversial striker returns to Major League Soccer after leaving the Philadelphia Union in 2011

The "Little Fish" is back. Carlos "El Pescadito" Ruiz, the Gatemala national team striker and 2002 MLS MVP, is back in Major League Soccer. The 33-year-old has joined D.C. United, his fifth MLS side, according to the club.

Ruiz first came to MLS with the LA Galaxy in 2002, and his first year was his finest, as he scored 24 goals in 26 games, grabbing MVP and Golden Boot honors on his way to helping the Galaxy to a first MLS Cup title.

After three seasons with LA, Ruiz was traded to FC Dallas. After three seasons with the Hoops, he was on his way back to Los Angeles, briefly, before an even briefer stint with Toronto FC. After time abroad in Paraguay, Mexico, and Greece, Ruiz spent half of the 2011 season with the Philadelphia Union before skipping town to join Veracruz of Mexico and later, Municipal in his native country.

In his MLS career, Ruiz has scored 88 goals in 169 games, tied for ninth-most all time in league history.